The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics Dean Oliver Yao has announced the appointment of Markus Schuckert as chair of the Department of Hospitality and Sport Business Management (HSBM), effective Sept. 1, 2025. Schuckert will also join the Lerner College as a tenured professor, with his faculty appointment beginning Aug. 16, 2025.
Schuckert currently serves as professor and chair of the Department of Hospitality Management at the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. He brings more than 20 years of international academic leadership and industry experience to UD, with prior roles at the University of New Orleans, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Heilbronn in Germany, and the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons in Switzerland.
“Markus Schuckert’s research profile, global perspective, and leadership experience closely align with the Lerner College’s strategic vision,” said Lerner College Dean Oliver Yao. “His appointment supports our goals of advancing impactful research, fostering innovation in teaching, and deepening our community and global engagement. He will play a key role in shaping the future of the HSBM department and preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving industry.”
The HSBM department offers nationally recognized programs in hospitality business management, sport management and hospitality industry analytics. Its faculty is known for applied, interdisciplinary research and for cultivating strong partnerships with industry leaders.
“Lerner is grateful to welcome Dr. Markus Schuckert to our esteemed faculty,” said Rick Andrews, senior associate of faculty at the Lerner College. “His leadership will strengthen the department’s research output and academic reputation, while enhancing the student experience and expanding our international impact.”
A prolific scholar, Schuckert has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, including publications in leading A* and A-rated journals. His research focuses on service innovation, digital marketing, and strategic management in hospitality and tourism. He earned his doctorate in social science and economics from the University of Innsbruck in Austria.
“I’m honored to join the University of Delaware and lead a department with such a strong foundation in academic excellence and industry relevance,” Schuckert said. “I look forward to building on that foundation and contributing to the college’s mission of transforming business education.”
Schuckert’s appointment supports the Lerner College’s ongoing efforts to attract top faculty talent and advance its strategic plan priorities of research excellence, student success and global impact.